Assistant Accountant Hospitality

HotelJobs; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 260,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

HotelJobs in South Africa seeks an Assistant Accountant to support the Finance Manager and Financial Accountant in day-to-day operations across multiple hotels and lodges. The role covers general ledger processing, reconciliations, VAT, month-end, and reporting, with strong Excel and accounting software experience preferred.

Responsibilities include AP/AR processing, balance sheet reconciliations, audit support, and maintaining strong financial controls across the hospitality group.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Financial Management.
• 2–4 years' accounting experience.
• Experience in hotel, lodge, hospitality group, or tourism environment is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management accounts and support month-end close across multiple properties.
• Process general ledger journals, accruals, prepayments and provisions and perform bank reconciliations.
• Manage accounts payable/receivable tasks, supplier and debtor reconciliations, and VAT submissions.
• Assist with audit preparations and provide documentation for external auditors.
• Maintain accurate filing systems and support finance department administration.

Job description

The Assistant Accountant supports the Finance Manager and Financial Accountant with the day-to-day financial operations of a group of hotels and lodges. The role ensures accurate financial records, reconciliations, reporting, and compliance while assisting with month-end processes across multiple properties. The position plays a key role in maintaining financial controls and supporting operational decision-making. Hospitality finance experience is highly advantageous due to the complexity of revenue streams, stock management, and multi-property reporting.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting

• Assist with the preparation of monthly management accounts.
• Process general ledger journals, accruals, prepayments, and provisions.
• Maintain accurate financial records for multiple hotels and lodges.
• Perform balance sheet reconciliations.
• Ensure the integrity of the general ledger.
• Assist with fixed asset register maintenance and depreciation calculations.

Accounts Payable

• Verify supplier invoices and supporting documentation.
• Prepare supplier reconciliations.
• Process supplier payments according to company policies.
• Resolve supplier account queries.
• Monitor outstanding supplier balances.

Accounts Receivable

• Assist with guest ledger and debtor reconciliations.
• Monitor outstanding customer accounts.
• Allocate customer receipts.
• Follow up on overdue accounts where required.
• Reconcile OTA and corporate account payments.

Bank & Cash Reconciliations

• Perform daily and monthly bank reconciliations.
• Reconcile petty cash and cash float balances.
• Investigate and resolve reconciling items promptly.

Month-End & Year-End

• Assist with month-end closing procedures.
• Prepare schedules supporting management accounts.
• Assist with audit preparations.
• Provide supporting documentation for external auditors.
• Assist with year-end financial reporting.

VAT & Statutory Compliance

• Assist with VAT reconciliations and submissions.
• Ensure compliance with SARS requirements.
• Assist with statutory returns.
• Maintain supporting documentation for compliance purposes.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Assist in preparing annual operating budgets.
• Update financial forecasts.
• Analyse budget variances.
• Prepare financial reports for management.

Hospitality Financial Controls

• Monitor revenue reconciliations from hotel PMS systems.
• Assist with food & beverage cost reconciliations.
• Verify stock movements and inventory reports.
• Support internal financial control procedures.
• Ensure compliance with company financial policies and SOPs.

Reporting

• Prepare weekly and monthly financial reports.
• Analyse expenditure trends.
• Report financial variances.
• Provide financial information to operational managers.

Administration

• Maintain accurate filing systems.
• Ensure all financial documentation is properly archived.
• Assist with finance department administration.
• Support ad hoc finance projects.

Minimum Qualifications

• Grade 12 (Matric).
• Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Financial Management.
• SAIPA; CIMA, ACCA, or SAICA articles (completed or in progress) will be advantageous.
• Valid driver's licence and own reliable transport.

Experience

• 2–4 years' accounting experience.
• Previous experience within a hotel, lodge, hospitality group, or tourism environment is highly advantageous.
• Experience working with multiple business entities or branches.
• Experience with month-end accounting processes.
• Knowledge of VAT and South African accounting regulations.

Technical Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas).
• Experience with accounting software such as Sage Pastel, Sage 300, Xero, or similar.
• Experience with hospitality PMS systems such as Opera, Protel, Apex, or PlusPoint is advantageous.
• Understanding of accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of IFRS principles is advantageous.

Personal Attributes

• Excellent attention to detail.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality.
• Strong numerical and analytical ability.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Problem-solving ability.
• Team player with a proactive attitude.
• Self‑motivated and dependable.
• Strong time management skills.
• Professional and service‑oriented approach.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accuracy and timeliness of month-end reporting.
• Number of unreconciled balance sheet items.
• Timely supplier payments.
• Accuracy of bank reconciliations.
• VAT compliance and submission deadlines met.
• Reduction in outstanding debtor balances.
• Audit findings and compliance results.
• Accuracy of financial reporting.
• Adherence to finance department deadlines.
• Support provided to hotel and lodge operational teams.